Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. An apparatus comprising: a pen-enabled input device; at least one other non-pen enabled input device located adjacent to the pen-enabled input device; a processor; and a storage device tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the processor, the instructions comprising: instructions that, in response to detecting inputs from the pen-enabled input device and the at least one other non-pen enabled input device, implement a prioritization scheme to disable an operation of the at least one other non-pen enabled input device; wherein the prioritization scheme automatically disables the at least one other non-pen enabled input device beginning in response to simultaneous utilization of the pen-enabled input device and the at least one other non-pen enabled input device and continues for a period of time after the simultaneous utilization; and instructions that adjust the prioritization scheme based on a user history.
An electronic device prevents unintended inputs when using both a pen and another input device (like a touchpad button) at the same time. The device has a pen input, another input device located close to the pen input, a processor, and memory with instructions. These instructions detect when both inputs are used, and then temporarily disable the other input device. This disabling happens immediately when both are used together and continues for a short time after. The length of time the other input is disabled adjusts based on the user's past input habits, for example, if the user often makes mistakes.
2. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the pen-enabled input device and the at least one other non-pen enabled input device are human input devices are located horizontally adjacent to one another in a surface of the apparatus.
Expanding on the device that temporarily disables inputs, the pen input and the other input device are located next to each other on the surface of the device. Both are used for human input. The inputs are horizontally adjacent, for example, side-by-side on the device. This arrangement makes it more likely the user will accidentally activate both at the same time. Because of this accidental activation, the system disables one of the input devices when both are used simultaneously.
3. The apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the pen-enabled input device is located on a right side of the at least one other non-pen enabled input device in the surface of the apparatus.
Building on the device with horizontally adjacent inputs, the pen input is on the right side of the other input device. This configuration is particularly relevant for right-handed users, as their palm or thumb might accidentally trigger the left-side input while using the pen. Because of this hand position and potential unintentional activation, the system anticipates and disables one input when both are triggered at the same time.
4. The apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the at least one other non-pen enabled input device comprises a mechanical input device.
In the device that disables one input, and where the pen is on the right of the other input, the other input device is a mechanical one. A mechanical input includes buttons and switches. This contrasts with a touch-sensitive or virtual button. The mechanical input, when triggered simultaneously with the pen, is temporarily disabled by the device to prevent unintended actions.
5. The apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the prioritization scheme automatically disables the mechanical input device, and wherein the mechanical input device comprises a touch pad button.
Continuing with the device where the pen is on the right side of the other input device, the other input is a mechanical device, and this mechanical device is a touchpad button. The invention specifically disables this touchpad button when it's used at the same time as the pen. This prevents accidental clicks from the user's palm resting on the touchpad while writing or drawing. The disabling is automatic and is part of the input prioritization scheme.
6. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the instructions further comprise: instructions that prompt a user for input prior to implementing the prioritization scheme.
In addition to automatically disabling one input when both pen and another input are used, the device can first ask the user for confirmation. Before disabling the other input, a message or prompt appears asking if the user intended to use both devices. This gives the user a chance to override the automatic disabling if they genuinely meant to activate both inputs simultaneously. The prompting happens before the other input device's operation is suppressed.
7. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the instructions further comprise: instructions that ascertain if a user defined prioritization scheme has been stored in a memory; and wherein, if a user defined prioritization scheme has been stored in a memory, the user defined prioritization scheme is implemented.
In addition to the automatic input disabling, the device first checks if the user has set up their own input disabling preferences. The device looks in its memory to see if the user has a "user defined prioritization scheme." If so, instead of using the default behavior of the device, it uses the user's custom settings. This allows experienced users to fine-tune the input disabling behavior to match their specific needs and work habits.
8. A computer implemented method comprising: detecting inputs from a pen-enabled input device and at least one other non-pen enabled input device located adjacent to the pen-enabled input device; in response to the detecting the inputs, implementing a prioritization scheme to disable an operation of the at least one other non-pen enabled input device; wherein the prioritization scheme automatically disables the at least one other non-pen enabled input device beginning in response to simultaneous utilization of the pen-enabled input device and the at least one other non-pen enabled input device and continues for a period of time after the simultaneous utilization; and adjusting the prioritization scheme based on a user history.
This describes a method implemented on a computer that avoids unintentional inputs when using both a pen and another input device at the same time. The method detects when both a pen input and another nearby input are used. It then temporarily disables the other input, and this disabling starts immediately when both inputs are used simultaneously and continues briefly afterward. The length of time the other input is disabled is adjusted based on the user's past behavior, for example, if the user often makes mistakes.
9. The method according to claim 8 , wherein the pen-enabled input device and the at least one other non-pen enabled input device are human input devices are located horizontally adjacent to one another in a surface of the apparatus.
This method, which disables one input when both a pen and another input are used at the same time, includes a pen input and other input device that are located next to each other on the surface of the device. Both are used for human input. The inputs are horizontally adjacent, for example, side-by-side on the device. This arrangement makes it more likely the user will accidentally activate both at the same time, so the system disables one of the input devices when both are used simultaneously.
10. The method according to claim 8 , wherein the pen-enabled input device is an absolute input device and wherein the at least one other non-pen enabled input device is a relative input device.
In the method for handling simultaneous pen and other input, the pen input is an absolute input device, and the other input is a relative input device. An "absolute" input, like a pen, maps directly to a screen position. A "relative" input, like a touchpad, changes the cursor's position based on movement. When both types of inputs are used simultaneously, the system disables the relative input (touchpad) to prevent conflict and unintentional actions.
11. The method according to claim 10 , wherein the at least one other non-pen enabled input device comprises a mechanical input device.
Building on the input handling method where the pen is an absolute input and the other input is relative, the relative input device is a mechanical input device. A mechanical relative input includes buttons and switches. When this mechanical relative input is used at the same time as the absolute pen input, the system disables the mechanical relative input.
12. The method according to claim 11 , wherein the prioritization scheme automatically disables the mechanical input device, and wherein the mechanical input device comprises a touch pad button.
In the method where the pen is an absolute input and another input is a mechanical device, the mechanical device is a touchpad button. The method disables this touchpad button automatically when it's used simultaneously with the pen. This prevents accidental clicks caused by the user's palm touching the touchpad button while writing or drawing. The disabling is part of the input prioritization.
13. The method according to claim 8 , further comprising: prompting a user for input prior to implementing the prioritization scheme.
Beyond automatically disabling one input device in the method where both pen and another input are used, the method includes a step that prompts the user for confirmation. Before disabling the other input, a message appears asking if the user intended to use both devices. This provides the user a chance to override the automatic disabling if they meant to activate both inputs at the same time.
14. The method according to claim 8 , further comprising: ascertaining if a user defined prioritization scheme has been stored in a memory; wherein, if a user defined prioritization scheme has been stored in a memory, the user defined prioritization scheme is implemented.
In the method for managing simultaneous pen and other inputs, the method first checks to see if the user has configured their own preferences. The system checks its memory for a stored "user defined prioritization scheme." If such a scheme exists, it uses the user's custom settings for disabling one input rather than the default behavior. This permits expert users to customize the input disabling behavior.
15. The method according to claim 8 , wherein the period of time does not exceed five seconds.
In the method for managing pen and other inputs, where one input is disabled temporarily, the period of time the other input is disabled does not exceed five seconds. This limit ensures that the user is not excessively inconvenienced by the automatic disabling feature. The short duration balances the need to prevent accidental inputs with maintaining the user's workflow.
16. A program storage device readable by machine, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by a processor of the machine, the program of instructions comprising: instructions that, in response to detecting inputs from a pen-enabled input device and at least one other non-pen enabled input device located adjacent to the pen-enabled input device, implement a prioritization scheme to disable an operation of the at least one other non-pen enabled input device; wherein the prioritization scheme automatically disables the at least one other non-pen enabled input device beginning in response to simultaneous utilization of the pen-enabled input device and the at least one other non-pen enabled input device and continues for a period of time after the simultaneous utilization; and instructions that adjust the prioritization scheme based on a user history.
This describes a computer program stored on a device (like a hard drive) that controls input behavior when a pen and another input are used together. The program detects when a pen input and another nearby input are used at the same time. It temporarily disables the other input, starting immediately when both are used simultaneously and continuing for a short time after. The length of this disabling period is adjusted based on the user's past input habits to prevent unintended actions.
17. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the user history includes a history of editing errant inputs; wherein the history of editing errant inputs adjusts the prioritization scheme.
Regarding the device that disables one input when both pen and another input are used simultaneously, the "user history" that informs the disabling includes a history of editing mistakes. Specifically, if the user frequently corrects errors made while using both inputs, the system will more aggressively disable the other input in the future to prevent those errors from happening again. This adaptation is based on the history of editing errant inputs.
18. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the prioritization scheme is further adjusted based on at least one application active during user input.
Expanding on the device that temporarily disables an input, the disabling behavior is further adjusted based on the application that is currently active. For example, in a drawing program, the system might be more aggressive in disabling the touchpad button than in a word processor. The prioritization scheme accounts for the active application when determining whether and how long to disable the other input device.
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October 21, 2014
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